Music Of Vincent Youmans - Andre Kostelanetz

 

Carioca

Music Of Vincent Youmans

Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra

Columbia Masterworks ML 4382

1951

From the back cover: Vincent Youmans was a man of generous enthusiasms. He loved to entertain his friends far into the night with his piano playing, but what he played chiefly were the works of other composers. He talked about music warmly and fluently, especially the works of his musical gods – Sibelius, Rachmaninoff (whom he also revered as a friend) and Delius. But he was reluctant to discuss his own musical achievements.

After he had become a successful, much admired composer of musical comedy and film scores, Vincent Youmans began a serious study of composition, taking courses at Loyola University and in Colorado Springs. What he might have accomplished if his long illness and untimely death had not interfered, we can only conjecture. What he has left us, though, is abundant proof of a fine and lovable genius. These songs of his are shapely and warm-colored flowers in the garden of American music.

From Billboard - June 16, 1951: Kostelanetz's concertized approach to pop music has plenty of melodic meat to dig into in the music of Vincent Youmans, one of the giants of Tin Pan Alley. Kosty manages to squeeze a dozen of Youman's best known songs into this lush presentation. The set should prove a popular item with that sizable family crowd which goes for Kosty's kind of schmaltz.

Hallelujah! (from "Hit The Deck")

Time On My Hands (from "Smiles")

Tea For Two )from "No, No, Nanette")

Carioca (from "Flying Down To Rio")

Without A Song (from "Great Day")

Great Day (from "Great Day")

More Than You Know (from "Great Day")

Orchids In The Moonlight (from "Flying Down To Rio")

Sometimes I'm Happy (from "Hit The Deck")

I Know That You Know (from "Oh, Please")

Through The Years (from "Smiling Through")

Drums In My Heart (from "Smiling Through")